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Education and Training

From preschool to graduate school, Garner residents understand that excellent education is the key to building a strong and vibrant community. The Town of Garner is served by the Wake County Public School System, the state’s largest public system and the 16th-biggest school district in the country. WCPSS had more than 153,000 students enrolled in the 2013-14 school year.

Garner-area schools also enjoy the support of the Garner Educational Foundation, Inc., a community-based volunteer organization that coordinates business and educational efforts to improve educational standards and promote quality education experiences in Garner-area schools. Established by the Garner Chamber of Commerce in 1990, the foundation seeks to enhance communication and involvement among students, parents, school staff, business leaders and community citizens to foster a higher standard of living for the Garner area.

Garner-area schools (Smith Magnet Elementary, East Garner Magnet Middle and Garner Magnet High) offer students the opportunity to study in the International Baccalaureate program, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Toward this end, schools, governments and international organizations collaborate to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment.

The educational environment in the Garner area is a major reason why Forbes in 2011 named the region the No. 1 place in the United States for families with young children.

Garner residents also have convenient access to quality institutions of higher education across the Triangle area, including one of the nation’s fastest-growing community colleges and three of the nation’s top-ranked universities.